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The world is full of unsolved problems. It is also full of problems for which solutions already exist, if we only leverage them. When we slow down for a minute, consider the available options, and more carefully assess the consequences of various modes of action, we have a better chance of directing our efforts where they ought to go–for the good of ourselves and the issues we face.

Matthew Cohen ’18 and Johnathan Bowes ’15 debate whether Puerto Rico should become the 51st state in the United States. Cohen urges us to question the previous votes in Puerto Rico as well as its tremendous debt while Bowes argues the US should respect the will of Puerto Ricans in whatever they choose.

The World Needs More Electric Daisies

As we looked over the enormous mass of people jumping on the Coliseum floor, surrounded by thousands in stadium seats with LED lights and glow sticks flickering like a million fireflies, my sister said, “If everybody knew about this, there would be world peace.”

Similar sentiments were echoed regularly at this year’s Electric Daisy Carnival, the massive electronic music festival held annually in downtown Los Angeles. Taking place over two beautiful days in June in USC’s Exposition Park (with the main stage smack in the center of the Coliseum), EDC is a neon wonderland filled with glittering carnival rides, professional dancers dressed to the nines and over 150,000 concert-goers – some hardcore ravers and others just looking to dance.

Upon arriving at the packed gates, it did not seem to matter that the line was enormous – people-watching was entertaining enough. Girls were scantily clad in little more than a bikini, with many wearing bright, fuzzy leg warmers standard at raves and on go-go girls. The men looked more toned down, opting to wear white, with the occasional gas mask or rave goggles. Most outfits, however, had one thing in common – kandi, the childish pony bead bracelets and necklaces traded at raves, adorned everybody, some with a lone bracelet around the wrist and many with rainbows of color all the way up their arms.

Once Intermission made it inside the concert grounds, the five(!) stages made deciding incredibly difficult. Looking for some shade, we stumbled upon AutoErotique’s set. They were laying down some seriously dramatic bass and the small crowd was loving it, moving freely through the grass and enjoying the prelude to the rest of the event. Up next was a more high-profile artist – DJ wonderboy Afrojack – who has been blowing up in the dance music world and was arguably the most featured act that EDC had to offer. Playing two massive sets on both Friday and Saturday, along with spinning the after-party on Friday night, there is no doubt that everybody witnessed at least some of his musical talents during the weekend. Intermission caught both, and Afrojack didn’t disappoint. Ending his Saturday set with his mix of Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek,” the crowd went wild as they sung along and danced to the familiar track.

As the sun began to set on Friday night, we found ourselves camped out at the main stage for the massive lineup to come. Australian house DJ Dirty South got the crowd ready for the celebrity headliners, and his summer hit “Phazing” was the perfect start to a beautiful night. Power trio Swedish House Mafia was up next on stage, and the excitement in the massive crowd was palpable. Comprised of Swedish DJs Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso and Axwell, their house hit “One” has earned them millions of fans and a coveted residency in Ibiza. From the dramatic introduction to the very end of the two-hour set, the crowd did not stop moving. All the stops were pulled out as fireworks regularly exploded and the massive light screens dazzled beyond belief. Dropping Daft Punk’s classic “One More Time,” everybody grooved to the beat until the now ubiquitous introduction to “One” was seamlessly woven in. From there on out, the night got out of control.

After Swedish House Mafia left the stage, the always-impressive and legendary DJ Kaskade took to the tables, proving why he is considered one of the best in the world. His exit from the stage was followed by the moment almost everybody had been waiting for. Innumerable mockups of the sinister Mickey Mouse heads that symbolize Deadmau5 were worn throughout the crowd. The audience waited impatiently for the night’s biggest celebrity. Once the relatively long wait was over, the massively popular house DJ amazed with his LED mouse head, light-up dais and turntables and, most importantly, his incredible music.

Saturday was no less amazing, boasting acts like Dada Life, Laidback Luke, Benny Benassi, Above and Beyond and Armin van Buuren. However, the definite standout of the day was German DJ Boys Noize (who Intermission also raved about at this year’s ETD Pop). Playing at Circuit Grounds while Armin took the main stage, a shocking number of people turned out to watch Boys Noize show why his star is on the rise so quickly. Paying tribute to Michael Jackson with a couple of well-placed tracks and spinning new material that made 60,000 people go insane, Boys Noize was a perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Regardless of whether or not you are an electronic music expert or somebody who just wants to have a good time, Electric Daisy Carnival is not to be missed. The largest festival in America, with the most beautiful lights and incredible music, definitely feels like it could solve most of the world’s problems. Peace, love, unity, respect indeed.

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COMFORT WOMEN WANTED brings to light the memory of 200,000 young women, referred to as “comfort women,” who were systematically exploited as sex slaves in Asia during World War II, and increases awareness of sexual violence against women during wartime. It is based on interviews with Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesian, Filipino, and Dutch “comfort women” survivors and a former Japanese soldier from WWII conducted by the filmmaker, Chang-Jin Lee, a Korean-born visual artist from New York City.

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THE LADY ONSTAGE explores the life and work of Olga Knipper, a name unfamiliar to most, but perhaps best known as “Chekhov’s wife”. Olga was a key creative genius in [...]

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Event Details

THE LADY ONSTAGE explores the life and work of Olga Knipper, a name unfamiliar to most, but perhaps best known as “Chekhov’s wife”. Olga was a key creative genius in the history of modern theatre; she was not only the originator of the leading female roles in Chekhov’s four major plays, but also became the de facto chief representative of the Moscow Art Theater when they toured the United States. THE LADY ONSTAGE takes us into the psyche of an actress at the moment when theater changed forever, giving us an inside perspective on the radical choices artists make in the name of Art and Love.

March’s Rough Reading presents an intimate reading of Erin Bregman’s new play in early draft form, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artistic process of bringing a play to life. Produced by Playwrights Foundation in partnership with the National Center for New Plays at Stanford.